Toronto Master Gardeners awarded Invasive Species Centre Microgrant
Toronto Master Gardeners are 1 of 24 recipients awarded a microgrant from the Invasive Species Centre.
The microgrant is an award for a one-time, small size education and/or community action project that focuses on prevention and/o
r management of invasive species.
Check out our new fact sheets listed under Invasive Species Initiative at the top of this page.
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Upcoming FREE Garden Chat - Garden Disasters - Aug 18 from 12:00-12:30pm![]()
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Registration required - ow.ly/MmfL50FI50S![]()
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Every gardener has had them – Disasters, Disappointments, and Bloopers. Some come without warning and all we can do is try to fix the damage. Some seem beyond our control, like earwigs or mildew, but we can try to mitigate the damage they might inflict. And then there are the gardening bloopers we all can all relate to that we can work to avoid repeatng – like placing plants in the wrong place, or inadvertently planting an invasive thug. This garden chat will focus on our own experiences as well as those of participants who are invited to post questions on the chat.
We are losing species at an unprecedented rate. But when it comes to curating natural diversity, our yards really have an impact. Leave the leaves, less lawn and allowing more native plant diversity are easy steps to protect wildlife. You won't need to step into the car and buy an entrance ticket, just bring your kids into the yard and show them a wonderful collection of insects and birds. www.healthyyards.org
www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jul/24/this-only-saves-honeybees-the-trouble-with-britains-b...
‘Honeybees are voracious’: is it time to put the brakes on the boom in beekeeping?
www.theguardian.com
The number of beehives in Britain’s cities is growing rapidly, putting pressure on native bees ‘that really need our help’, say scientists and experienced beekeepers
Use two hands or a pair of scissors/pruners when picking beans. The top should come off with the bean vs being left on the plant. Pulling beans with one hand may result in breaking a branch off the plant. Pick often to encourage the plants to continue to produce pods.
Biodiversity is disappearing at an alarming rate. Here are a few things we can all do to help stop the loss of biodiversity.![]()
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ontariobiodiversitycouncil.ca/what-can-you-do/
What Can You Do? - Ontario Biodiversity Council
ontariobiodiversitycouncil.ca
All Ontarians need to be involved to stop the loss of biodiversity. Here are some things you can do to help: Help monitor Ontario’s biodiversity. Citizen science is a great way to get involved in mo...
Do you want to save seeds from your food garden but don't know where to begin? Here's a great resource to help you.![]()
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www.seedsavers.org/how-to-save-seeds
How to Save Seeds - Seed Savers Exchange
www.seedsavers.org
Learn the basics of how to save seeds from your garden. Saving seeds has many benefits and with a few tips and an understanding of what to grow, how to plant, and how to collect seeds, you'll be on yo...
Continue to pinch out, or cut off, side shoots from tall growing (indeterminate) tomatoes. It’s not necessary to remove them from bush type tomatoes.
Forest gardening (and "food forests") may seem like a new concept, but it has been practiced for thousands of years.![]()
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www.canadiangeographic.ca/article/seeing-garden-through-trees-indigenous-forest-gardens-coastal-bc
Seeing the garden through the trees: The Indigenous forest gardens of coastal B.C.
www.canadiangeographic.ca
The discovery of the 150-year-old Ts’msyen and Coast Salish garden sites — and their still-booming biodiversity — could provide fresh inspiration for both land management and food security solut...
Are you growing flowers for cutting but not sure when to harvest? Here's a quick reference guide that lists many commonly grown cut flowers.![]()
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www.thegardenersworkshop.com/how-to/lisas-tips-tricks/cut-flower-harvest-guide/
Cut-Flower Harvest Guide - The Gardener's Workshop
www.thegardenersworkshop.com
This harvest guide is based on our experience as commercial cut-flower growers. We have found that harvesting our flowers on a regular basis and making the cut in the right spot keep our flowers produ...
Pull weeds as they grow and use mulch in your flower beds to prevent them from sprouting. If you can't pull them all, at least cut off their tops to prevent them from seeding; this will mean fewer weeds next year.